Ongava Lodge, Etosha & The Caprivi Strip

rooms

Ongava Lodge has fourteen large stone and thatch chalets. The rooms are spacious with high ceilings and polished screed floors, and the décor is very safari-chic with Casablanca-style ceiling fans, mosquito nets around the beds, and campaign-style furniture. All have air conditioning, hairdryers, tea/coffee station, stylish en-suite bathrooms with double basins, indoor and outdoor showers (except the family chalet) and glass fronted doors leading onto a private wooden veranda, and most of these have great views across the plains below.

Eleven of the chalets have twin beds, and if you would prefer something a little more private, there are two chalets situated a little further away from the Lodge with double beds. There is also a family chalet available which sleeps up to four people.

facilities & activities

Being on the edge of one of Africa’s best game reserves, there is a huge focus on game drives both within the reserve and in the Okaukuejo area of Etosha National Park.  You will see a broad variety of game, including elephant, lion, black and white rhino, springbok, gemsbok, and wildebeest.  The reserve is ideal for rhino spotting, and with the freedom of being on private property you can also do night game drives and walking safaris; tracking rhino on foot is a fantastic experience for those really wanting to get up close and personal with nature.  The guiding here is excellent- you share a dedicated guide and Land Rover with the other guests, but you can also take advantage of the hides that overlook the waterholes and wait for the animals to come to you.

Back at the Lodge, the stunning sitting rooms with their cool slate floors and sweeping thatch roof offer plenty of sofa spaces to sit and take in the soaring views of the waterhole below and the surrounding plains.  There is also a shaded swimming pool with plenty of loungers- a great place to unwind and cool off after a day’s exploration.  The reception area offers a camp shop selling practical safari clothes as well as great gifts.

dining

The bar and dining area are housed in a large lapa with a high thatched roof and cool slate floors. The magnificent views across the breath-taking plains towards an endless horizon make this a perfect spot for a sundowner.

Great cuisine is on offer; all the meals are buffet style and are served in the Lodge’s thatched dining area, or al fresco on the dining deck where you can eat under the stars. If you are heading out on a long game drive, the Lodge is happy to provide a packed lunch.

family

Children aged 12+ are welcome at Ongava Lodge.  Teenagers will enjoy the activities on offer here and all the rooms are large enough to accommodate an additional single bed. There is an interconnecting room which would be ideal for a family.

location

Ongava Lodge is situated along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park in the stunning landscape of the privately owned 30,000 acre Ongava Game Reserve, in Northern Namibia.

Windhoek (Hosea Kutako) is the nearest international airport.  You can take a light aircraft flight to Ongava’s private airstrip which is just 10km from the camp.  A member of staff will meet you from your flight and transfer you to the camp at no extra charge.

If you would prefer to drive from Windhoek, it will take about four and a half hours. NB during the rainy season a 4WD is probably necessary.